What we learned at the Final Four on Thursday

Thursday

Here's a quick look at what we learned from the first day of practice and conversation at the Final Four in San Antonio.

Larry Brown won’t play favorites

At least that’s according to Kansas coach Bill Self, who still gets starry-eyed when talking about his mentor.

Self leans on Brown — who took the Jayhawks to the 1988 title behind star Danny Manning — but he isn’t the only coach who does so.

Loyola's Aundre Jackson wanted to be player of the year

After coming off the bench last year — and earning the first Sixth Man of the Year award in the history of his school — the Texas native was hoping to become the Missouri Valley Conference’s marquee player.

Instead, he’s reverted back to a bench role, but he certainly hasn’t sulked about it. Click here to read more about Jackson’s season, which has included 20 games of 10 points or more.

Expect more mid-majors to reach the Final Four

That’s the word from Michigan coach John Beilein, who previously worked as smaller schools like Canisius College and the University of Richmond. Beilein said the college game is as much about culture as it is talent. Click here to read more.

Jalen Brunson heard all the hype about Trae Young

After he was announced as the Associated Press’ player of the year. Villanova’s Jalen Brunson was asked if he’d heard the rumblings earlier in the season about Oklahoma’s Trae Young, who had the inside track.

Brunson was honest, and humble:

“To be honest, with the technology we have today and social media we have, I hear all of it. I see all of it. I just try not to focus on that. I just know that if, whatever I can do to help make this team successful, I know individually all the things I want are going to come out of it. And I just try so hard to focus on my teammates and what's best for the team.

“And Trae Young, just a comment on that: He's a great player. Obviously, their team lost at the end of the year, but that doesn't take away what he did all year. He still led the country in scoring and still led in assists as well. He's put himself in a position to be very successful for his future.

“So he's a great player. But I just try not to focus on anything individual. Obviously, there are goals of mine that I have written on my wall and everything like that, but I also have team goals. That's what's most important, to make sure this team can be the best team they can be by the end of the year.”

Kansas' Azubuike might have mom at Saturday's game

It's possible that Udoka Azubuike could see his mother for the first time in six years on Friday — the NCAA is helping her fly from Nigeria. She has never previously seen him play.

Click the video above to the 10-minute mark to learn more about the story.